Kelly continued: "My last sight of him was of him sitting on the couch, looking at the Christmas tree. … What I wouldn't give now to have that moment back. To have just one more chance to tell him how much I love him."

The former "Today" host said losing her dad has taught her a valuable lesson that she shares with her three children – sons Yates, 9, and Thatcher, 5, and 7-year-old daughter Yardley – with her husband, novelist Doug Brunt.

"Nothing matters except the people around the tree," she said.

During the interview, Kelly also revealed her favorite festive movie ("Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" – "Who doesn't love this sweet misfit?"), Christmas gift ("It's a tie between Stretch Armstrong and the Incredible Hulk") and holiday song ("'Silent Night' has sentimental meaning. … I can't hear it to this day without crying.")